Malaysia’s new Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, is a blogger and a twitterer. Najib is Malaysia’s 6th Prime Minister.
He uses his personal website to reach out to his constituents. The website features links to his Flickr, YouTube and Twitter accounts. He also uploads his speeches and schedule for the day on the website.
The text of his inauguration speech was instantly uploaded on the website while he was delivering it
The website’s design was conceptualized by Najib himself. He also reviews the comments left by visitors:
Q: Does Dato’ Sri Najib participate in the site? Can I interact with him?
A: Dato’ Sri participates fully in the website, predominantly through blogs and video messages. He also reviews the comments. The site is the brainchild of Dato’ Sri Najib and he had personally conceptualized the website’s look and content, with the support of a dedicated team.
Before his oath taking, Najib assures visitors that he will maximize the website to inform the public about his daily activities.
In a matter of hours, before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, I will make the same commitment to Malaysia as my esteemed predecessors. I am fully committed to the responsibilities and challenges inherent in that oath. I will accept it with utmost humility and will meet them to the best of my abilities. Together, we will ensure that Malaysia emerges a stronger, more unified, and prosperous nation.
I will share this momentous occasion with all of you through my website with periodic updates on the day's proceedings. These exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ photos and videos will include my morning preparations, the ceremony, and the official handover at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.
Amethyst News Flash reviews the website:
A visit by this blogger was greeted with a “welcome to 1 Malaysia – Najib Razak” front page. Pressing “enter” took a long time to load, and this must be TM's fault, so Najib, get cracking so that people will not be turned off by your loading time.
After some time, finally it loaded. The design is beautiful and there are news, blog, speeches, and other non-imporatnat things.
It is certainly more flashy than many blogs around. Menus were easy to use and the latest updates are on the front page.
Now, he really (is) into new technology. Just who did all these for him, well, of course not him. Where got time ar?
Wait, wasn't it him who banned six online media from covering UMNO general assembly? Maybe Najib should walk the talk and embrace free press and freedom of speech.
audie61 appreciates that Najib has recognized the need to use alternative media:
Well all the talks of Blogger being a thorn to any ruling government should be disregarded and dispelled. The No.1 Man in the country newly installed Prime Minister Najib keeps the nation updated in his blog.
Najib realises in order to keep tabs with the alternative media he needs to embrace this new media tool.
Zuiyanhong notes that two of Malaysia’s top leaders have created personal blogs:
Today in Malaysia if you are not a blogger, it seems that you are outdated. I am not boasting because the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and the present Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak both of them are bloggers.
Via Twitter, the reactions of Malaysians on Najib’s website:
wordsmanifest : najib's website looks like it was designed by a 16 year old tumblr addict
redsheep: Any thoughts on http://www.1malaysia.com.my? Could use some cleaner design?
redsheep: Not touching 1Malaysia's website in a long time. Just not liking the site. Really old school in a lot of areas.
10 comments
I am happy the the new PM of Malaysia has his own website to facilitate transparency and a dialogue with the people.In view of the corrupt practices with UMNO, the Malay component in the controlling party,BN of the government-I would like to know what he is doing about the corruption,fraud and criminal activity that has taken place in his government before and during the elections.His cabinet is filled with individuals who ought to be investigated,prosecuted and if necessary imprisoned-how can he work with these individuals.
Also with regards the serious allegations of murder and corruption of more than 100 million US $ on the purchase of submarines-does the PM think he is above the law.He should explain all these allegations on his website and not have something as a show piece.